When thinking of a vacation in Sarajevo, the first images that come to mind are the Ottoman mosques, the Austro-Hungarian avenues, and the war cemeteries..
But those who walk carefully discover another Sarajevo, younger, rebellious, and colorful: that of the murals that cover side walls, underpasses, and hidden facades. Street art in Sarajevo is not just urban decoration. It is a political, social, and memorial language that deserves attention. This article will guide you through the most significant murals in the historic center and some peripheral neighborhoods, telling stories and meanings.
Why Street Art is Different in Sarajevo
In many European cities, graffiti are seen as acts of vandalism or at best as embellishment. In Sarajevo, street art was born in a traumatic context. During the siege (1992-1995), the city endured the longest siege in modern history, with over 11,500 dead and 50,000 injured. Writing on walls was a way to communicate when phones and the internet were not working. Graffiti during the war also served as warnings: signs "Watch Out - Sniper!" indicated the most dangerous areas.
After the war, murals became tools of political expression, to denounce corruption, commemorate victims, or claim a multiethnic identity. As muralist and rapper Adnan Hamidovic (known as Frenkie) says: "After the war, segregation, politics, and nationalism were very strong, but graffiti and hip-hop broke down all those walls and built new bridges between generations."
Today, during your vacation in Sarajevo, you can read the recent history of the city simply by walking and looking at the walls. Street art has become "a form of therapy" for a generation that grew up among the rubble .
The Bobsled Track of Mount Trebević: The Open-Air Gallery
The most iconic place for street art in Sarajevo is undoubtedly the bobsled and luge track of Mount Trebević, built for the 1984 Winter Olympics . During the war, the track was used as an artillery position. Today, it is a huge open-air art gallery, covered in graffiti and ever-evolving murals .
As artist Kerim Musanović explains, who painted a mural of a dragon on the track: "It’s a really good place for artists to come and paint, because you can paint here freely" . His intent, like that of many other artists, is to create positive art, away from the divisive political slogans that mar the walls in other parts of the Balkans .
How to Visit the Bobsled Track
By funicular (the most popular option): The departure is near the City Hall (Vijećnica), with a ride of only 7 minutes . From the upper station, it’s about a 5-10 minute walk down.
On foot: For hikers, there are trails from the Bistrik neighborhood, but the climb is steep and takes 1.5-2 hours .
Emblematic Murals and Recurring Themes
The Michael Schumacher Mural
An example of how street art can also celebrate humanitarian gestures is the large mural dedicated to Michael Schumacher, honorary citizen of Sarajevo since 2014 . Painted with eco-friendly materials by a group of young artists from the "Teñido Group" (Obojena Klapa), the 10x13 meter mural depicts the German driver with a red Ferrari. Schumacher visited Sarajevo as a UNESCO ambassador in 1996 and 1997 to raise funds for a pediatric hospital and to support the care of children left disabled due to the war .
Benjamin Cengic, one of the artists born in 1993 during the siege, recounts: "I always followed his career, his competitions, but when I learned of his altruism, of the way he helped injured children in Sarajevo, (Schumacher) grew much more in my eyes" .
The Roses of Sarajevo: Memory and Art
An element that intertwines with street art is the symbol of the "Roses of Sarajevo": grenade craters filled with red resin that dot sidewalks and streets as memorials for the dead . These red marks are a constant reminder of the human cost of war, and create a strong contrast with the colorful murals that seek to bring new life to the city.
Art that Purifies the Air
An innovative project, supported by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and USAID, has led to the creation of 12 giant murals in the city using paint that purifies polluted air . In winter, Sarajevo is one of the most polluted cities in the world due to smog . The paint transforms harmful particles into harmless substances that are washed away by rain. "We are trying to create lungs for the city," explains Benjamin Cengic, comparing the effect to planting a thousand trees .
The Fasada Festival: Art and Urban Regeneration
Since 2021, the annual Fasada festival has helped promote the muralists of Sarajevo, but also to repair the buildings themselves that serve as a canvas . The founder, Benjamin Cengic, explained that his team looks for "neglected neighborhoods, dilapidated facades". Before a wall becomes a canvas, the team often repairs it, installing insulation and restoring severely damaged homes . The goal is "to create connections between the locals and between the artists" .
Guided Street Art Tours
For those who want a more in-depth experience, there are walking tours dedicated to the street art of Sarajevo . A highly rated tour (with a score of 4.9 out of 18 reviews) is offered by "ART AND TOURS SARAJEVO" and lasts 2-3 hours, starting in the heart of Baščaršija . Visitors recommend these tours because the local guides, often artists themselves, "put the works in historical and artistic context" and show "works that we would never have found on our own" .
FAQ - Street Art and Murals in Sarajevo
What is the most famous place to see street art in Sarajevo?
The bobsled and luge track on Mount Trebević, built for the 1984 Olympics, is now an open-air art gallery with constantly evolving murals. It is the symbol of the city's rebirth .
How did the street art scene in Sarajevo originate?
It originated during the war (1992-1995) as a form of communication, with graffiti serving as warnings or emotional outbursts. After the war, it became "a form of therapy" for the new generations .
What do the "Roses of Sarajevo" represent?
They are grenade craters filled with red resin, placed at the points where explosions caused casualties. They are a memorial that coexists with the colorful murals .
What are the main themes of street art in Sarajevo?
The themes range from the fantastic (like the dragon by Kerim Musanović) to political and social messages, up to commemorating humanitarian acts like the mural dedicated to Michael Schumacher .
What is the Fasada Festival?
An annual festival that started in 2021 which not only promotes street art but also repairs the dilapidated buildings that become the canvases for artists, contributing to urban regeneration .
Are there tours dedicated to street art?
Yes, several operators offer 2-3 hour walking tours, led by local artists who explain the history and significance of the most important murals, often showcasing hidden works off the tourist paths .
Why have some murals been made with special paint?
Some murals use paint that purifies polluted air, a project supported by IOM and USAID to address the serious problem of winter smog in Sarajevo .
Street Art and Murals in the City Center
Street art and murals in Sarajevo offer a unique perspective on the city, far from the more well-known historical monuments. From the bobsled track of Trebević, which has transformed from a symbol of Olympic glory and a war outpost into a gallery of colors, to the murals that tell stories of resilience and hope, every corner of the city narrates a fragment of its complex soul. This art represents a form of resistance, a way for new generations to "shake off any imposed nationalist narrative or identity" and to paint a different future on a history of suffering. A vacation in Sarajevo that includes exploring this artistic scene is a journey into the city's ability to transform its scars into beauty.
To delve into all aspects of this extraordinary city, check out our complete guide: Discover the murals and street art during your vacation in Sarajevo.
Review date: May 2026